PGWP processing time
Updated October 1, 2026

PGWP Processing Time 2026: About 15 Weeks Inside Canada

How long the Post-Graduation Work Permit takes after you graduate, by application channel

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Current Time

108 days (about 15 weeks) inside Canada (IRCC work permit extension figure, which includes new PGWPs); outside Canada varies by visa office

Last Updated

October 1, 2026

Trend

Times are stable

Is your file past the posted time?

IRCC's posted time is an estimate, not a deadline. If yours has run past it, there are still steps you can take, from an IRCC web form to a formal follow-up. Start with a free assessment of your options, or book a 30-minute consult with a licensed RCIC (CA$100, credited to your retainer if you sign within 30 days).

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Current Figures

PGWP Processing Time Today, and What to Do if Yours Is Late

Read from the data behind IRCC's own processing-times tool, updated October 4, 2026. The tool shows one application type and one country at a time. Here they are side by side.

ApplicationProcessing timePeople waiting
Work permit extension in Canada (includes new PGWPs)13 weeksAbout 208,900 people waiting

What the processing time includes

  • The clock starts the day IRCC receives your complete application (the day you submit online, or the day a paper application reaches IRCC's mailroom) and stops when IRCC makes a decision.
  • IRCC does not post a separate PGWP time. Its figure for a work permit extension in Canada includes new post-graduation work permits.
  • IRCC says the posted time includes the time it takes to give your biometrics.
  • It is an estimate, not a maximum or a guarantee. Incomplete files, complex files and files that need extra security checks can take longer.

What to do if yours is late

  1. Check your status online first. IRCC says its web form agents do not have more details than what your online account already shows.
  2. Once your application is past the posted time, ask about it through the IRCC web form ("Ask about your application"). Before that point IRCC says no news means your file is still in process, and extra web forms or phone calls do not speed it up.
  3. Answer any request for documents, biometrics or a medical exam quickly. IRCC counts how long you take to respond among the things that change your processing time.

If the wait is putting your status, a job offer or travel plans at risk, check your options before you act.

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Sources: IRCC check processing times, IRCC web form, IRCC work permit extension in Canada processing time.

Processing Time Overview

About PGWP Processing

IRCC does not post a separate PGWP time; its figure for a work permit extension inside Canada, which includes new PGWPs, is 108 days (about 15 weeks) as of 1 October 2026. Paper applications and applications submitted from outside Canada run longer, typically 4-7 months. IRCC does not publish a single PGWP service standard in its monthly Flpt JSON; processing varies by application channel, completeness of documentation, and whether the program of study qualifies under the 2024-2026 field-of-study eligibility list.

To qualify for a PGWP you must have completed a full-time program of at least eight months at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), graduated from a PGWP-eligible program (the field-of-study list updated in late 2024 narrowed eligibility for many college programs), held valid status throughout your studies, and applied within 180 days of graduation. The work permit is valid for the same length as your study program, up to a maximum of three years.

Applying online while still inside Canada with valid student status (or while on the 90-day visitor period after status expiry) is the fastest path. Applying from outside Canada requires a fresh visa office assessment and pushes processing times to the upper end of the range. Files flagged for additional review (program eligibility uncertainty, missing transcripts, language test gaps for university programs) extend processing past 180 days.

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Historical Data

Processing Time Trends

Track how processing times have changed over recent months

October 2026

108 days (~15 weeks) inside Canada (IRCC work permit extension)

September 2026

107 days (~15 weeks) inside Canada (IRCC work permit extension)

July 2026

90-180 days online inland (~124 day actual)

May 2026

90-180 days online inland

Q1 2026

100-200 days online inland

Q4 2025

120-220 days online inland

Q3 2025

150-240 days online inland

Q2 2025

120-200 days online inland

2024 Average

100-180 days online inland

Processing Factors

What Affects Processing Time?

Understanding these factors can help you prepare a stronger application

Application channel (online inland is fastest; paper and outside-Canada are slower)

Whether your program of study is on the PGWP-eligible field-of-study list (2024-2026 update narrowed eligibility for many college programs)

Completeness of transcript and graduation confirmation from your DLI

Language test results if you graduated from a university program (a 2024 IRCC change requires CLB 7 for university graduates, CLB 5 for college)

Status validity at the time of application (in-status vs. restoration vs. visitor period)

Background and security checks for some applicants

Expert Tips

How to Avoid Processing Delays

Follow these best practices to keep your application moving smoothly

Apply online from inside Canada the moment you receive your final transcript or graduation letter from your DLI

Confirm your program is on the IRCC PGWP field-of-study list before assuming eligibility

Take an approved language test (IELTS General, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF) before submitting if you graduated from a university program

Apply within 180 days of graduation; missing this window forfeits PGWP eligibility permanently

Maintain valid status while waiting; you can work on implied status if your study permit was valid when you applied

Keep a digital copy of your DLI's official transcript and graduation letter ready

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about PGWP processing times

How long does PGWP take to process in 2026?
IRCC does not post a separate PGWP time; its figure for a work permit extension inside Canada, which includes new PGWPs, is 108 days (about 15 weeks) as of 1 October 2026. Paper applications and applications from outside Canada run 4-7 months. Files flagged for program eligibility review or missing language test results can extend past 180 days. IRCC does not publish a single service standard for PGWP; processing varies by application channel and file completeness.
Can I work while waiting for my PGWP?
Yes, if you apply for PGWP before your study permit expires, you can work full-time while IRCC processes the application under implied status. This applies only to inland applications submitted in valid student status. If your study permit expired before you applied, you cannot work until the PGWP is approved, even if you applied within the 180-day eligibility window.
What is the PGWP-eligible field-of-study list?
IRCC updated PGWP eligibility in late 2024 to require that college and undergraduate programs (other than degree programs at universities) align with occupations facing long-term labour shortages. Programs not on the field-of-study list no longer qualify for PGWP. University degree programs (bachelor, master, doctoral) remain eligible regardless of field. Confirm your program's eligibility on the IRCC website before assuming you qualify.
What language test results do I need for a PGWP?
As of November 2024, university graduates need CLB 7 (IELTS General 6.0 in each band, or equivalent CELPIP or TEF/TCF score). College and trades program graduates need CLB 5. The test must be taken within 2 years of submission. This requirement was added to address concerns about graduates not meeting workforce language standards. Take the test before applying; submitting without it will result in refusal.
How long is the PGWP valid for?
PGWP validity matches the length of your study program, with limits. Programs of 8 months to 2 years yield a PGWP equal to program length. Programs of 2+ years yield a 3-year PGWP (the maximum). Programs shorter than 8 months are not PGWP-eligible. The PGWP cannot be extended; you have one chance per lifetime.
Can I get PGWP if I studied online during COVID?
Online study completed during COVID temporary measures (March 2020 - August 31, 2024) counts toward PGWP eligibility, with conditions. The IRCC distance-learning policy allowed online study from outside Canada to count if you would have studied in-person otherwise. As of September 1, 2024, all study must be in-person in Canada to count toward PGWP eligibility. Verify your specific dates against the IRCC distance-learning timeline.
What happens if I miss the 180-day PGWP application window?
You forfeit PGWP eligibility permanently. There is no extension or restoration mechanism for missing the 180-day window after graduation. If you cannot apply within 180 days, you lose the PGWP path entirely and must pursue alternative work permits (LMIA-based, IMP, or spousal open work permit if applicable). Apply on the day you receive your transcript to avoid this risk.
Why is PGWP delayed?
Most PGWP delays come from a handful of fixable causes. Missing or unclear transcripts and graduation letters trigger requests that add weeks. A passport expiring before the permit's full length forces IRCC to shorten the permit or ask you to reapply. Program eligibility checks against the 2024-2026 field-of-study list slow files where the program is borderline. Routine background and security screening adds time for some applicants. Paper applications and applications filed from outside Canada sit longer than online inland files. A complete application, a long-valid passport, and a confirmed-eligible program clear most of these.
Why do PGWP applications get rejected?
The most common PGWP refusals in 2026 trace to program and status problems. The program of study falls outside the PGWP-eligible field-of-study list. The final transcript or graduation confirmation is missing. The applicant broke study-permit conditions, such as working more than 20 hours per week off-campus during terms or studying while not enrolled full-time. Status lapsed during the program without restoration. University graduates skip the CLB 7 language test that became mandatory in November 2024. Filing after the 180-day window also ends eligibility. Confirm program eligibility and gather every document before you submit.
Is it 90 days or 180 days for PGWP?
People mix up two separate rules. You have 180 days from your confirmation of graduation to apply for a PGWP. The 90 days is the visitor grace period after a study permit expires, during which you can stay in Canada and still apply if you have not already. You can apply within the 180-day window even after your study permit expires, but you can only work while waiting if you applied before it expired. For processing itself, IRCC's figure for a work permit extension inside Canada, which includes new PGWPs, is 108 days (about 15 weeks) as of 1 October 2026.

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Related Programs

Other Processing Times

Check processing times for related immigration programs

Express Entry

About 6 months / About 7 months

Current processing time

Study Permit

2-17 weeks (varies by country)

Current processing time

Visitor Visa

18-109 days for most countries (some offices longer)

Current processing time

View All Processing Times

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Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Each case is unique and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before making immigration decisions.